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Mexico's congress passes national ban on circus animals

A circus dog performs in costume during a free public show in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo, Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Mexico's congress passed a national ban on circus animals on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)

The Associated Press
Published Friday, December 12, 2014 1:30AM EST

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's congress has passed legislation to ban the use of animals in circuses across the country.

The lower chamber's vote Thursday followed one earlier in the week by the Senate and came six months after Mexico City passed a similar ban that is to go into effect next year. Six states also adopted bans.

The House of Deputies said in a statement that the chamber voted 267-66 to approve the bill aimed at combating mistreatment of animals. It calls for fines for violations and requires circuses to submit lists of the wildlife they possess, which would then be made available to zoos interested in taking the animals.

The bill now needs the signature of President Enrique Pena Nieto. He hasn't spoken about the proposal, but it was introduced by an allied party.